It’s always the big question on one of the biggest date nights of the year. “Who are you going to kiss at midnight?” At times you think you might know the answer to this question but then it might be a mystery. Of course, if you already have someone, then you don’t have to ask the question. Consider yourself fortunate if you’re in this category.

As for the characters in “New Year’s Eve,” you will have to see the film to find out who they are kissing. There are plenty of characters to choose. About 16 make up the plot of the film, so take your pick.

Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a secretary at Ahern Records and cannot come out of her shell. Then she meets Paul (Zac Efron), who is a bike messenger, and she makes a deal with him. If he can fulfill her New Year's resolutions from last year before midnight, she will get him into the big bash the record company throws every year.

Then there’s Laura (Katherine Heigl), who is catering the party, her first big event. When she arrives, she realizes that Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi) is headlining the bash. He proposed marriage to her and then ran out.

Of course, you could choose the anti-New Year’s guy, Randy (Ashton Kutcher). He takes down all the decorations in the hallway of his building and gets stuck in the elevator with Elise (Lea Michele). Randy is Paul’s roommate and Elise sings backup for Jensen.

Are you confused yet? There are more characters to add to the list. Two couples are racing to see who will give birth to the first baby of the year so they can win $25,000. Then there is the city staff that is trying to fix the ball in Time’s Square so it will work at midnight.

There is too much to keep track of in this film. Jumping from story to story doesn’t allow the audience enough time to get interested in each story line. Yes, this has been done before in the film “Valentine’s Day.” In fact it was the same director, Garry Marshall, who made this film. He did do a better job as the film moves along, though. By the time the stories are coming together and getting mixed together, the movie improves.

That’s due to the fact that there is a puzzle to complete. Who gets matched up at midnight? Some of the match-ups are obvious, but there are a couple of twists that you may not see coming.

As for the rating on this film, it is very appropriately rated PG-13. There is some language, including the f-word, and some sexual references. There is no nudity in the film, but one girl does flash her mom. Of course she is in Grand Central Station when she does it, and she is only 15. Mom does react appropriately, but it is still on film.

This film is not as fun at the beginning as it is at the end. It is a romantic comedy, but with all the story lines it feels like four or five romantic comedies thrown together. About halfway through, though, the characters start to become interesting, and the film is more engaging. If you can make it through, you will be fine.

Shawn O'Neill is the Family Man Movie Reviewer on BYU Radio. His reviews can be heard on BYURadio.org and on SiriusXM Channel 143.